From the Archives: Opium hidden in a box of chocolates, proving 'you never know what you're gonna get'

By Scott Harrison

Feb 13, 2018 | 1:00 AM

June 4, 1947: Aurora Springer, secretary in the Los Angeles County district attorney's office, exhibits $40,000 worth of opium found concealed in candy box. (Los Angeles Times Archive/UCLA)

The box of opium was discovered during an investigation of a robbery and kidnapping ring.

According to a story in the June 5, 1947, Los Angeles Times, Federal and local investigators expected to "clear up more than 300 crimes with a total loot of more than $250,000."

Advertisement

The story reported that, according to Police Capt. Walter Hegl of Glendale, "the opium was concealed in the lower layer of a two-pound box of chocolates, the upper layer of candy being intact. The opium was in the form of 40 sticks and is of the highest grade known, narcotics officers said. Each stick is approximately six inches long and is valued at $1000."

According to the Los Angeles Times story, investigators believe the opium was smuggled into the country by a gang member when he was a member of the merchant marine.